The Muslim community in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, has expressed strong opposition to the alleged appointment of Muniru Adebayo Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland.
The announcement, made by the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animasahun, on November 26, 2024, has been described as unilateral and divisive by a faction of the Muslim Ummah.
In a statement issued by Sheik Sulaiman Ajao Akala, the Head of Alasaro Osogbo, the apex Islamic body in the community expressed disappointment at what they perceive as a disregard for Islamic principles in the process of appointing religious leaders.
“Islam is a religion of peace with established principles for leadership selection. Ignoring these values to unilaterally appoint a leader undermines the collective trust of the Muslim Ummah,” the statement read.
According to the community, Alasaro Osogbo is the only body that can appoint any Islamic position in the town stated that the body appointed the Chief Imam and all his chiefs.
The opposition cited concerns about Raji’s character and past actions, including his alleged role in a crisis at the Osogbo Eid Ground in June 2023 and divisive statements made during political campaigns.
They also pointed to an ongoing legal case involving Raji at the Federal High Court in Osogbo as evidence of his unsuitability for the sacred position.
“A sacred Islamic position like the Asiwaju Musulumi should not be conferred on anyone whose actions and public conduct do not reflect the dignity and unity required of such a role,” the statement emphasized.
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The community also criticized the lack of inclusivity in the decision-making process, insisting that the appointment of a leader for the Muslim Ummah must have the consensus of the entire community.
“We, Muslims across Osogbo the capital of Osun State, were shocked to the marrow on 26th November 2024 following a purported appointment of one Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland by the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animasahun. This unilateral decision of the Chief Imam is not only disappointing to the whole Muslim Community but also much unwholesome thus, it is best considered as an attempt to create avoidable religious crises in an otherwise peaceful Osogbo Muslim community.
“Islam is a religion of peace which has a complete set of standard principles in virtually all facets of life. The ascendency of Sheik Musa Animasahun to the position of the Chief Imam of Osogboland too is one of the proofs of the existence of this set of principles.
“In appointing leaders in Islam, knowledge, impact, character, manner and pedigree of people is among the very important factors to be considered. Thus, the alleged appointment of Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland is not only unacceptable but also very much demeaning to the collective religious sensibilities of the Muslim Ummah,” the body said.
“It is our firm belief that such a sacred Islamic position should not be conferred on just any person in the community. We, as Ummah, find it difficult to relate being what Alhaji Munirudeen Raji is with the roles expected from such a privileged position in Osogbo Muslim Community,” the body stressed.
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